On the 20th, Seibu announced that it has formulated the "Saitama Seibu Lions Overseas Strategy" with the aim of strengthening its forces in acquiring foreign players and expanding its system for discovering and developing foreign players who are expected to be successful in the NPB in the future. As part of this initiative, the club also announced that it has signed development contracts for next season with three players from Slovenia and Uganda who played for the Asahikawa Beastars of the independent league this season and participated as test players in the team's fall training camp held from October 30th to November 17th.
This is the first time an NPB team has signed a player from Slovenia or Uganda.
Hiroike, general manager of the Lions' general manager, commented through the team, "We believe this is a big first step towards our dream of bringing baseball to countries and regions where baseball culture has not yet taken root, and making baseball a major global sport. We hope that the players joining us will grow into great players who will become valuable assets for The Lions, and also have a positive influence on baseball culture in their home countries. By promoting the "overseas strategy" that we have formulated, we will be able to welcome young, talented foreign players. We will apply The Lions' accumulated training know-how to develop players who will perform well on the first team and create a team that can compete for championships."
The profiles of each player are as follows:
KYAZZE FRED
November 24, 2002 (22 years old)
pitcher
Right-handed pitcher, double hitter
188 cm, 76 kg
From the Republic of Uganda
Baseball career: Yellow Max Primary School - Avrs Secondary School - Asahikawa Beastars (2025)
number 142
<ISABIRYE MUSA AZED>
July 27, 2005 (20 years old)
pitcher
Right-handed pitcher
180 cm, 73 kg
From the Republic of Uganda
Baseball career: Kitebii Junior High School, Avrs Secondary School, Asahikawa Beastars (2024, 2025)
number 141
<Carlos Tovar>
August 26, 2003 (22 years old)
infielder
Right-handed pitcher
187 cm, 79 kg
From the Republic of Slovenia
Baseball career: Ballsport Gymnasium High School - Asahikawa Beastars (2024, 2025)
number 143
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